Gunhound EX: PSP sidescrolling mecha game from G.Rev

[boagman]

Now I can confirm it, you can update the PC game to EX. The patch change the music, the graphics, the mechanics and add some missions.

So is the PSP release going to be exactly the same as this, or is G.rev going to be adding other stuff as well?

Basically: what's G.rev's role, here? It sure seems like they're doing something of substance with it...it's on their website, after all, and they're releasing it in December.

I'm oddly excited about this.

[Op Intensify]

G-Rev is most likely handling the porting work, as well as lending some added arcade game fan credibility to the project. It seems it's going to be exactly the same as the patched PC version, aside from the physical extras and portability.

[boagman]

G-Rev is most likely handling the porting work, as well as lending some added arcade game fan credibility to the project. It seems it's going to be exactly the same as the patched PC version, aside from the physical extras and portability.

Really? That's it? They're not putting their own stamp on the thing? That seems more than just a bit strange to me, considering that it's front-and-center on their website and all. If it's simply a straight port-to-UMD, then I might pass on it. I was thinking that they saw an opportunity to really give the thing a bigger punch, but if all they're doing is slapping their name on a port (AKA distribution), that's a mistake on their part.

Anybody got more info on this?

[BulletMagnet]

Delayed 'til January.

[Domino]

Damn it, I was hopping I could play it next month!

[CID]

So was I.

[KAI]

Play the PC version.

[gameoverDude]

Delayed 'til January.

Oh darn. But anyway, maybe a 1 mo. delay isn't so bad after all the Christmas spending I've done.

[Domino]

This would look better on a Vita. I'm spoiled, once you play PS1/PSP games on your Vita it is hard to go back to your PSP.

[BulletMagnet]

New trailer.

Spoiler: Stuff blows up.

[boagman]

I can't read Japanese...are we *certain* that GRev is just doing a straight port, and adding nothing of their own? I've got the LE preordered, but if it's just a straight port, I might save myself the $85.

[KAI]

The voiced dialogs and the simulation mode are new, the PC version doesn't have those things. The gameplay looks the same.

[greg]

This PSP game looks like it's worth preordering, however I have yet to find an actual DEDICATED video game store in Fuji. I only know of stores that sell games. There are stores dedicated to plastic models, sure, this IS Shizuoka-ken, after all, but so far I have yet to find any actual game stores.

[Skykid]

This PSP game looks like it's worth preordering, however I have yet to find an actual DEDICATED video game store in Fuji. I only know of stores that sell games. There are stores dedicated to plastic models, sure, this IS Shizuoka-ken, after all, but so far I have yet to find any actual game stores.

There's a place real close to you Greg that my friend's in-laws took me to while I was staying with them in Fuji. It's not a new game store technically, although they had plenty of current gen stock. We drove there (about 20 mins) might be the neighbouring town, and it's the upstairs floor of an enormous warehouse sized place stuffed with games, consoles and related toys. Cheaper than Akihabara in most cases, I spent a small fortune in there. If it helps locating it, I think the ground floor is dedicated to AV.

[greg]

Wow, if you can find out the name of that place, I would be very happy. I've lived in Fuji since March. There are some cool Kanteidan locations in Shizuoka. They sell used anime stuff, toys, figures, plastic models, video game stuff, DVDs, and of course manga. Places like this are all over in Japan, and they do tend to be cheaper than Akihabara, naturally. But, these places only sell used stuff.

I am planning on ordering the game for me and my friend back home in Arizona from Amazon Japan. I won't bother with the limited edition, scratch-'n-sniff version with soundtrack and exclusive toenail clippers or whatever. After watching the videos of this game, I am extremely excited. Masaya would be proud!

[Skykid]

Wow, if you can find out the name of that place, I would be very happy. I've lived in Fuji since March. There are some cool Kanteidan locations in Shizuoka. They sell used anime stuff, toys, figures, plastic models, video game stuff, DVDs, and of course manga. Places like this are all over in Japan, and they do tend to be cheaper than Akihabara, naturally. But, these places only sell used stuff.

I am planning on ordering the game for me and my friend back home in Arizona from Amazon Japan. I won't bother with the limited edition, scratch-'n-sniff version with soundtrack and exclusive toenail clippers or whatever. After watching the videos of this game, I am extremely excited. Masaya would be proud!

Indeed they would, I'm really stoked for this. I hope the game turns out to be as fun as it looks. Not too hot on the character designs, but it's only a minor irritant.

As for that warehouse place, it sounds like you might have even been to it? It was 80% games, the rest figures and other bits n' pieces. I passed up a boxed Famicom Disk system for peanuts because I didn't have the luggage space.

Problem is, aformentioned friend and waifu have gone separate ways, else it would be easier to ask directions. I could always send her a FB message and see if she responds to it for ya.

[greg]

It's interesting that your friend lived in Fuji. Did you smell the paper mills? Fortunately, I do not live downwind from the factories, but on occasion my neighborhood might have an odor. It doesn't happen very often, though.

I am pretty sure you are talking about the Shimizu Kanteidan. It used to be located right off of Route 1, which runs along the ocean between Tokyo and Nagoya. It had two floors. It closed down by the time I discovered it, but in September or so it reopened at a new, smaller location in Shimizu. The Kanteidan in Shizuoka is bigger, and it's on the 2nd floor. The 1st floor is basically where they sell musical instruments, clothing, and also where they buy stuff off of people. The 2nd floor is where all the game stuff is. Here's a video I took of it in May. There's another Kanteidan in Fuji, which is smaller, yet still pretty cool.

On the eastern outskirts of Fuji, a new place called Otakara that is another similar store. Here, you can buy 3 games for 500 yen for Dreamcast, Saturn, Super Famicom, and Famicom. It's a huge, two story used goods paradise.

[Turrican]

Who has played estensively the PC version and can comment on it / any good reviews online? Does the patch make for a huge improvement overall?

[Ghegs]

The patch basically makes it a remix of the original game. To quote from my post on the previous page:

EX feels a lot harder. There's new enemies, the pace seems a bit faster, the bosses have new attacks...

It's not so much an improvement patch as it making it a slightly different game. And even after the patch is applied, both versions can be played by just starting the appropriate .exe file, so it's all good.

[scrilla4rella]

Who has played estensively the PC version and can comment on it / any good reviews online? Does the patch make for a huge improvement overall?

I read the Famitsu review and the reviewer that gave it an 8 said, "this is the game that 90s/2D action fans have been itching to play. The controls are a little difficult but it's really fun to outfit and customize your mech" or something like that.

btw, sorry for the duplicate thread earlier. After checking out the soundtrack, thx KAI, I've decided to splurge for the special edition. I'm looking forward to this one.

[Temia Eszteri]

Man, I haven't even heard of this and I've loved the old mech run-and-guns like Valken and Gunhazard. Too bad I don't have a PSP, though...

Don't suppose any group has localised it, or is working on localising the PC version, patch and all? Because I'm always a sucker for plots no matter how simple, and while I'd enjoy the gameplay it'd be a shame to not know what's going on around me besides the basic visual cues.

[Ed Oscuro]

Actually, though I have a PSP, I've been wondering if the PC version won't remain the better version for playability and looks (and this is before considering that the EX release on the PSP won't be able to play the original version). I might pick it up anyway, though. I could probably "acquire" the PC version and with the ease of updating the game data it should be a snap to have it available on all platforms.

[Koa Zo]

I just received the Limited Edition. The LE really just includes the Perfect Soundtrack for an additional $40-50 depending on your shipping method.
The advertised mini art book (Secret File) is really just the CD booklet. The OST is jammin', just a bit costly.

Haven't played the game yet because I can't find my PSP, lol

edit:
Got to play this for a bit tonight and it is fantastic on the PSP.
I don't know a thing about the PC version, and in fact only first heard about this game a week ago, so I've no points of comparison - besides to other console mech games.

An overview of the default controls:
X = jump, hold for thrust/hover
[] = machine gun, or mega blast (+ R-trigger)
^ = punch, or missiles (+ R-trigger)
O = dash
R-trigger = hold down for secondary weapons
L-trigger = hold to lock turret arm
d-pad = moves left & right, double tap for dash. Up/Down aims turret arm angle.

The main menu is in English and offers the following options:
Game Start
Continue
Simulator (training tutorials)
Mission Mode (replay completed levels, I think)
Customize (customize your mech)
Option (key config, sound, save, load)

Much like Assault Suit Leynos 2 on the Saturn, there is a mission briefing before the level and then more dialogue during the level. Of course it is all in Japanese so I'm afraid later levels may get tricky without a walkthrough.
The customization options area also in Japanese, but each upgrade is displayed graphically on your mech so a bit of trial and error will figure things out here. And the training levels will be trail and error as well for non-Japanese readers.
I haven't entirely figured out the on-screen gauges and radar, but it mostly seems self-explanatory and intuitive.

One thing's for sure: this is one bad-ass game.

[greg]

I pre-ordered mine from Amazon JP. It should arrive tomorrow. I can't wait to play this tomorrow night when I get home!

[boagman]

I just received the Limited Edition. The LE really just includes the Perfect Soundtrack for an additional $40-50 depending on your shipping method.
The advertised mini art book (Secret File) is really just the CD booklet. The OST is really jammin', just a bit costly.

Haven't played the game yet because I can't find my PSP, lol

Okay Koa Zo, I've gotta ask the question: how did you receive yours so quickly, when the guy I'm getting mine from in Tokyo hasn't even gotten his directly from Grev yet? Who did you order through that got it to you that quickly?

[Turrican]

glad to hear some positive feedback - mine is in the mail as well, but is a SAL shipment, so it will take a while.

[Koa Zo]

Okay Koa Zo, I've gotta ask the question: how did you receive yours so quickly, when the guy I'm getting mine from in Tokyo hasn't even gotten his directly from Grev yet? Who did you order through that got it to you that quickly?

Just got lucky for once. Notably, this is the first "new" game I've pre-ordered in a couple years iirc.
Anyhow, I ordered from PlayAsia, payed $17 for FedEx shipping. Received the "item shipped" email on the 29th, and less than 24 hours later it was delivered in Pennsylvania. I was quite surprised since PlayAsia still had the release date listed as the 31st.


I'm going to go out a limb here and say that in terms of awesomeness of graphics, intensity of play, SFX & BGM, robustness of control...
Gunhound EX is to the PSP as Sin & Punishment is to the N64.

[Ed Oscuro]

Playing on the original PSP vs. the Vita has me concerned - for the screen that is (PSP 3000 here). Does the regular PSP regular edition cover (the mech) come as a separate box inside the LE box (I assume so)?

Still looking for the PC version...looks like I'll probably have to break down and get it for PSP

[Koa Zo]

Does the regular PSP regular edition cover (the mech) come as a separate box inside the LE box (I assume so)?

[...] looks like I'll probably have to break down and get it for PSP

Yes, the LE box just holds the regular edition game and the Perfect Soundtrack with two cardboard spacers to snug things in there.

I don't see how you can go wrong at <$40 shipped for the regular version.

[gameoverDude]

I've got an LE on the way from AmiAmi, with the total being 5680 JPY/$62 shipped. These guys don't mess around on shipping- so I can see it arriving early on in the upcoming week (but I'll be watching in case it shows up on the doorstep tomorrow). GHEX is the first PSP game I've ordered since Nayuta no Kiseki.

AmiAmi has lately been cheaper than my old favorite importer NCSX, whose price is $76 for the LE and that's without shipping.

This would look better on a Vita. I'm spoiled, once you play PS1/PSP games on your Vita it is hard to go back to your PSP.

I've heard of improvements on PSP games being played on Vita WRT the frame rate, and now am wondering if this would fix Ys: Ark of Napishtim's choppiness (so it would run as smooth as Falcom's own Felghana port if not better).